March 31, 2013

WAILUKU - A Makawao man was taken into custody Wednesday to complete a six-month jail term for breaking into his ex-girlfriend's house and choking her last year.

Aaron Townsend, 25, also was placed on five years' probation.

He had pleaded no contest to second-degree unauthorized entry into a dwelling and third-degree assault.

Police were called to the woman's residence in Pukalani on Oct. 2 after Townsend first tried to kick through the door of the house, according to police. When he wasn't able to get in, he removed a screen and climbed into the home through a window. Inside, he began choking his ex-girlfriend, police said.

When officers arrived at the residence, Townsend ran through yards before he was found in a storage shed, police reported.

Deputy Prosecutor Justine Hura said Townsend assaulted someone "who has the right to tell the defendant she doesn't want to be involved with him."

His attorney, Cary Virtue, said that Townsend was sorry. His relationship with the woman is now over, Virtue said.

"He made mistakes," he said.

Hura said that rather than focusing on his actions, Townsend seemed to be more concerned about being able to continue using marijuana through his state medical marijuana card.

He obtained the card based on being diagnosed with chronic foot pain, Hura said, yet that didn't stop him from trying to kick through his ex-girlfriend's house that night.

"He has no problem jumping through a window. He has no problem running through various people's yards," Hura said.

In court Wednesday, Townsend denied kicking the door.

"You shouldn't have been in the house at all," 2nd Circuit Judge Rhonda Loo told Townsend.

He was ordered not to consume alcohol or illegal drugs and to complete a domestic violence intervention program. Townsend was ordered to have no contact with the victim.